By now most of us know the best solution to overconsumption is to stop buying so much stuff. It’s high time we stop supporting corporations that don’t care how their resource use and labor practices affect the rest of the world. However, if you are inclined to shop, there are ways to do so more smartly and sustainably. A huge facet of sustainable fashion is about making better choices. Be that by using what you have, repairing it, thrifting, or supporting more sustainable brands.
There are many parts to this issue but above all it’s about better choices, not perfect choices. The amount of stuff we have is undoubtedly a problem, but making sure purchases we do make are the best possible is important too. Buying from thrift shops and secondhand stores should be the default option but, for new purchases, aim to set your standards higher. Money doesn’t go far enough for us to buy cheap stuff that won’t last. Expensive doesn’t always mean better, but super cheap almost always means super cheap!
Consume in more ethical ways and use your dollar more wisely. After all, supply and demand is real and it’s time we stop feeding into hyperconsumerism and poor corporate ethics. Something typically made with harmful materials and poor ethical standards is activewear. But as someone who stays active, I need quality ethical activewear. So, if you’re in the market for activewear and want to support companies who commit themselves to high standards and sustainability, or if you need some quality pieces that will last longer than fast fashion, here are 5 ethical activewear brands to consider.
Girlfriend Collective is the first ethical activewear brand I’ve tried and their sustainability focus is ethical manufacturing and recycled materials. 100% recycled and recyclable packing is used, plus their clothes are made from upcycled materials like water bottles and fishing nets. This was the first point that got me interested in alternative material clothing and their pieces do not disappoint. It’s cool to learn about their waste initiatives and discover how many water bottles each activewear piece diverts from landfills.
This brand has a great selection of inclusive sizes (even offering maternity sizes!) and a wide range of colors. The manufacturers are certified by Social Accountability International and the materials are certified by OEKO-Tex. To further close the loop in their manufacturing, dye mud that’s left as waste post-dyeing fabrics is repurposed by making paving stones and sidewalks. They also have a garment recycling program called ReGirlfriend.
Good for Sunday centers its ethics around sweatshop-free manufacturing. Everything is 100% made in Canada and they have amazing worker-focused values. This brand claims to provide lasting staples that are meant to be timeless and use materials like organic cotton, Tencel lyocell, bamboo, linen, and hemp. Good for Sunday maintains good practices for water usage and textile waste by finding use for upwards of 50% of textile waste and maintaining a closed loop for water usage (meaning they reuse the water they use 100%!).
They also promote a customer-to-customer return process, called EcoDrop, to limit shipping emissions and limit the amount of product waste that goes to landfill. This program is great because not only is it an inventive way to promote sustainable fashion consumption, but you’ll find discounted prices that further incentivize choosing this option! Although not a specific activewear brand, they offer great activewear pieces.
Boody is a brand that values “function over fuss” yet has decent sustainability standards. They’re B Corp certified and a member of 1% for the Planet. To top that off, all water used in the production process is recycled. Boody keeps longevity and quality in mind and ensures that by properly testing their products. I wish they offered a bit more information about their sustainability initiatives, but since they’re B Corp certified I can’t really complain!
Every item I’ve gotten from Boody is extremely soft though! Their products are made of organically grown bamboo viscose which is moisture-wicking, fast-growing, and doesn’t require pesticides. So, they’re great for working out (even their underwear honestly) because the materials used don’t retain sweat.
Happy Earth Apparel claims to be committed to sustainable practices and aims to be accountable regarding ethics. This brand was founded by two scientists who aren’t funded by outside investors. They’re also B Corp certified and a member of 1% for the Planet, but to top that off also buy carbon offsets. Many of their products are made in fair trade certified factories too.
They use organic cotton and have a vow to never use polyester, even recycled polyester, which is great for preventing adding to our microplastic problems. All materials and processes comply with ZDHC Manufacturing Restricted Substances List and they use recycled packing while offering a paper packing option too. Happy Earth Apparel also partakes in projects that help climate issues like getting involved in trash clean-ups and funding community projects to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Pact always has great sales, making their products more affordable, yet they stand by foundational sustainability initiatives. They are fair trade certified and carbon neutral, plus they offer the option to offset carbon for shipping (although that is done through the shopper, not as a given). All items are made from organic cotton and they’re more open about where these materials come from, so you know they take worker’s rights more seriously than other brands.
I hope Pact continues to expand on its sustainability initiatives and continues to be open and promote ethical practices. For now, this brand is great for good quality items without breaking the bank. You can feel better about the materials and labor, compared to many other options. Pact is a great choice for accessible ethical activewear.
We can't make perfect choices, so focus on making better choices - including what you workout in.
As always, when discussing how to be more sustainable while consuming, the best option is to not buy anything. But because we’re all consumers to a degree, focus on practicing mindful spending. Activewear from these brands is, in my opinion, worth the money. By choosing ethical activewear, you’ll decrease the cost per wear of the pieces you’re buying. You’ll be buying less because you’re buying better! So stop getting in bed with fast fashion and put your money to good use. Instead of shopping for convenience, shop for longevity so we can move towards a more sustainable future.